Thread: Cultural Differences Between Americans and Russians

Originally Posted by Deborski

Personal space. Americans prefer a lot more personal space than Russians do. In Russia, people are comfortable talking with maybe a foot of personal space between them, whereas Americans prefer closer to three feet. Americans are very uncomfortable with "close talkers" so if they start to back away when you are talking, don't close in on them.

Oh yeah, you're so right about that! I've happened to be confused by a number of Russians trying to get really close to me while talking. The most interesting thing is, no matter if you're stepping back, they won't really get it and won't give up their attempts to have your face a few inches in front of theirs. =)

Originally Posted by Eric C.

Oh yeah, you're so right about that! I've happened to be confused by a number of Russians trying to get really close to me while talking. The most interesting thing is, no matter if you're stepping back, they won't really get it and won't give up their attempts to have your face a few inches in front of theirs. =)

Ahaha. I tried to imaging such a situation, and I realized, that it's very much true. "Hey, where are you going? We are talking right now". )))

Regarding conversation style: I've read once that Russians have problems with long pauses while talking to strangers, especially comparing to Northern nations (Scandinavians, etc.). When there's suddenly a lull in a conversation most Russians are afraid that it's "dying" and do their best to "restart" it, they redouble their efforts in engaging their interlocutor, trying new topics, etc. That's a classical culture misunderstanding. While Russians think that they are being good company people from other countries often see them as overly talkative, inattentive or even intimidating. The funny thing is that Russians do not necessarily like to talk that much, they just feel that they are supposed to make an effort for the sake of a person they are talking to.

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Regarding conversation style: I've read once that Russians have problems with long pauses while talking to strangers, especially comparing to Northern nations (Scandinavians, etc.). When there's suddenly a lull in a conversation most Russians are afraid that it's "dying" and do their best to "restart" it, they redouble their efforts in engaging their interlocutor, trying new topics, etc.

Hehehe, I'm American and I have a habit of doing that! If people stop talking, it feels like the conversation is broken and I have to "fix" it! Maybe it's my Norwegian blood or something.

I've also noticed that Russians have a tendency to analyze everything constantly. I do the same thing, and many of my American friends find it annoying or intimidating.